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Fire Restrictions In Force

Fire restrictions are in force. During the fire restriction period fires may only be lit after obtaining a permit from Bass Coast Shire Council.

By Bass Coast Shre - 20th January 2003 - Back to News

Fire restrictions are in force. During the fire restriction period fires may only be lit after obtaining a permit from Bass Coast Shire Council. On total fire ban days a permit must be obtained from the CFA.

Except for days of total fire-ban, fires may be lit for barbecues in properly constructed barbecue areas. Buckets of water or a connected hose must be close by. However, lighting bonfires and burning-off are prohibited across the Shire during the fire restriction period.

Bass Coast Shire Council and local CFA brigades are encouraging members of the community to report any breaches of the restrictions.

"Please do not hesitate to call 000 if you see smoke or flames and believe there is a wildfire or house fire in the area," said Andrew Smith, Brigade Support Officer in Bass Coast.

Kaye Hall, Local Laws Team Leader at Bass Coast, said that burning off or bonfires should be reported to the local police. A police officer will investigate and charges may be laid under the CFA Act 1958. When fire restrictions are not in force, people should contact Council’s local laws officers about illegal burning off and bonfires.

Andrew Smith said that this year fire restictions have come into force early due to the lack of rain over the past twelve months. He said that the conditions at the moment are sufficient for fires to spread quickly.

The restrictions are not new, having been in place for many years. However, there were no restrictions last year so some people may have forgotten exactly what they are.

Lighting open fires in residential areas is prohibited in the Shire at all times of the year. While fire restrictions are in place there is a ban on lighting fires in any area of the Shire, including rural areas.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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